Lexington’s Division of Police is holding prep courses for potential applicants in hopes of increasing its ranks of officers. The prep sessions cover a variety of topics prior to a tentative January date to begin hiring. Rachel Kennedy is the recruiting coordinator. In addition to preparation, Kennedy said the courses will be informational.
“We encourage anybody who’s interested or maybe just in the information gathering stage to come. There’s always a q and a at the end where we kind of open up the floor for questions about everything from our hiring process to the job itself from anything in-between,” said Kennedy.
The prep courses cover issues like the written test, physical fitness test, and oral board interview. Kennedy said the prep session schedule is expanding from one to four sessions.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said last week his department was some 83 officers short. Kennedy noted the hope is to increase police officer numbers.
“So, absolutely that’s the goal of these prep courses is to better prepare our applicants so we can increase our number into the academy so we can then increase our number who are graduating from the academy,” said Kennedy.
Starting pay in the police academy is $48,400. All the prep courses are being held at the police department’s training academy on the Bluegrass Community and Technical College campus off Newtown Pike.
Here's more with officer Kennedy on police prep courses:
